American Express Classic Green Card review: A great choice for modern travelers and professionals
Editor's Note
American Express Classic Green Card overview
The American Express® Classic Green Card is suited to modern travelers. It earns bonus points on travel, transit and dining at restaurants and offers valuable statement credits that help offset its annual fee. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Until I wrote this review, I'd never really considered the Amex Classic Green. As I learned about this card, I realized it's a surprisingly strong mid-tier travel card for anyone who prioritizes travel, dines out frequently and incurs travel costs.
It has an annual fee of $150, and if you can utilize the annual up to $219 statement credit for Clear+, the card can easily be worthwhile (enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal).
As of July 23, 2026 the card is no longer accepting applications.
The information for the American Express Classic Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: What is Clear airport security — and is it worth it?
Amex Classic Green pros and cons
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Amex Classic Green welcome offer
The Amex Classic Green is no longer accepting applications, therefore it no longer includes a welcome offer.
Related: The best American Express credit cards
Amex Classic Green benefits
Solid earnings and benefits make the Amex Classic Green a serious competitor if you're looking for a mid-tier travel rewards card.
$219 Clear+ annual statement credit
One benefit of the Amex Classic Green card I haven't seen on many other cards is an up to $219 Clear+ statement credit each calendar year. With Clear, your eyes and fingertips can help you get through security faster at select airports and stadiums nationwide.
Since the normal rate for this membership is $219 per year, this statement credit covers the full annual cost. Enrollment required; subject to auto-renewal.
Related: Clear is latest TSA PreCheck enrollment provider
Travel and shopping protections
The Amex Classic Green offers extended warranty** and purchase protection** when you purchase eligible items with your card. These protections can save you serious money if something goes wrong with a recent purchase.
You'll also be protected when you're on the road. The Amex Classic Green offers a baggage insurance plan** and secondary car rental loss and damage insurance***, with the option to upgrade to primary coverage through Amex's Premium Car Rental Protection.
**Eligibility and benefit levels vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
***Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered, and geographic restrictions apply. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
Related: Everything you need to know about American Express purchase protection
Earning points on the Amex Classic Green
The Amex Classic Green earns:
- 3 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.)
- 3 points per dollar spent on travel and transit
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases
Based on TPG's June 2025 valuation of Amex Membership Rewards points at 2 cents each, you'll get an approximate 6% return on spending in the top two categories and 2% on everything else.
It's important to note that these categories are broad. For example, "travel" includes airfare, hotels, tours, campgrounds and vacation rentals, while "transit" includes trains, taxicabs, ride-hailing services, ferries and tolls.
Much of your spending may fall within these categories, depending on your lifestyle.
Related: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel
Redeeming points on the Amex Classic Green
The Amex Classic Green provides Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed in several ways.
Aside from travel, options include statement credits for recent, eligible purchases, shopping on Amazon and shopping with Membership Rewards. However, these options provide less value than redeeming your points for travel.
Using your points on Amazon offers poor value, at only 0.7 cents per point; redeeming points to cover eligible charges will get you 0.6 cents per point; and shopping with Membership Rewards is the worst option, providing a meager 0.5 cents per point.
Given that TPG's June 2025 valuations peg Membership Rewards points at 2 cents per point, redeeming your points for travel is by far the best choice. The easiest way to get at least 2 cents per point is by using Amex's transfer partners.
Related: How to redeem American Express Membership Rewards points
Transferring points on the Amex Classic Green
The Membership Rewards points you earn with the Amex Classic Green can be transferred to 20 travel partners: 16 airlines and four hotels. Noteworthy transfer partners include Air Canada Aeroplan, Delta SkyMiles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
Some excellent sweet spots include one-way business-class flights to Europe and stays at participating Preferred Hotels and Resorts worldwide with Choice Hotels points.
TPG credit cards writer Chris Nelson regularly transfers points to Avianca LifeMiles and has gotten transatlantic flights to Europe for as low as 17,000 points in economy class. Avianca LifeMiles has plenty of great redemptions with Star Alliance partners, making it an especially valuable transfer partner.
Related: Credit card transfer bonuses running this month
Which cards compete with the Amex Classic Green?
The Amex Classic Green is a competitive mid-tier card with strong earning rates and useful benefits, but other issuers have some comparable options:
- If you prefer Chase: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) is among the best-known travel rewards credit cards. It earns bonus points on travel, dining, vacation homes, gas and EV, select streaming services and online grocery store purchases (excluding Target®, Walmart® and wholesale clubs). Plus, it has a $100 annual hotel credit for bookings made through Chase Travel℠. To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
- If you prefer Capital One: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is straightforward and easy to use. This card earns 5 miles per dollar spent on car rentals, vacation rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. This card can fit into a variety of points and miles strategies. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards.
- If you want a card with no annual fee: The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card is an option for someone who wants a beginner travel card with no annual fee. Cardholders will earn 3 points per dollar spent on travel purchases booked through BofA Travel and 1.5 points for every dollar spent. If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase. To learn more, read our full review of the Bank of America Travel Rewards.
For additional options, check out our list of the best starter travel cards.
Related: Amex Classic Green Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Which card is right for you?
Bottom line
The Amex Classic Green's statement credits can more than offset the $150 annual fee, making this card a compelling option for young professionals and others who allocate much of their budget toward travel, dining and commuting.
If you'll use the annual Clear+ statement credit and can maximize the broadly defined bonus categories, the Amex Classic Green is worth keeping in your wallet.
Related: Is the Amex Classic Green Card worth the annual fee?
Updated 08/03/2026.